Bangladesh seeks US investment in energy sector

Dhaka, Jan 18 (DPA) Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought more cooperation from the US in the power and energy sectors, officials said Sunday.Hasina made the request to the US Ambassador in Dhaka, James F. Moriarty, who called on the newly-elected prime minister Sunday.

The government said Bangladesh is in great need of power sector infrastructure for more electricity production. The country’s generation capacity is at maximum 4,000 megawatts, covering only 35 percent of the total 150 million people.

Hasina’s Awami League-led alliance had promised its electorate increased power generation for further economic development.

During the meeting, Hasina assured the US ambassador of investment-friendly environment in the country.

The new premier also sought US cooperation in her fight against poverty, which she says the main enemy of the South Asian region, and against terrorism.

The US envoy also expressed interest in encouraging investment, more cooperation in the field of poverty reduction and efforts against terrorism, an official of the prime minister’s office said.